Grant: A package I think could bring Justin Upton to Texas without giving up Jurickson Profar

2/17

Louis DeLuca/Staff Photographer

Torii Hunter, RF / Fangraphs three-year average value: $16.8 million per season / Deal signed: Two years, $26 million ($13 million AAV) with Tigers / Analysis: Hunter’s resurgent 2012 upped his Fangraphs value a bit, but he’s still been a rock-solid and consistent contributor for years. The Rangers were reportedly a finalist for his services, and he certainly could’ve been a potential upgrade in the outfield at a fair price. But it sounded like Hunter was sold on playing in Detroit.

Good afternoon Evan. What package would it have taken, similar to the Mariners offer, to get Upton? What did they offer?

Evan Grant: Here's what I think the Diamondbacks want: Mike Olt, Luis Sardinas and a top pitching prospect (either Martin Perez or Cody Buckel). The Rangers have long been willing to give up Olt to make the Arizona deal happen, but the shortstop and pitcher the Rangers were more willing to move was Leury Garcia. As for the pitcher, I'm not sure who the Diamondbacks valued more and who the Rangers were willing to part with. I still don't think this is done. Elephants are the only creatures that seem to have longer gestation periods than this Rangers-D'backs deal.

Hey Evan, what do you think is more plausible/probable: trading for Upton or signing Lohse?

Evan Grant: That's like asking me which do I believe in more: unicorns or leprechauns. ... If I had to pick, I think there is a makeable deal for Upton and the Diamondbacks have kind of backed themselves into a corner. Once you put a trade in front of a player, it's hard to bring him back. So, right now, I think Upton might be more plausible... But I wouldn't rule out the Rangers ending up with both players, either.

Do you think Leury Garcia is the UIF?

Evan Grant: Right now, he's as good an option as any. He and Profar are the only other middle infielders on the roster besides the designated starters. And Jon Daniels has already said he does not intend to use Profar as a bench player. The non-roster candidates are weak. Daniels said today that the Rangers are continuing to look at options for the bench. Hard to get legitimate guys to commit to coming to Texas if they don't think Ron Washington is going to play them very much. And last year, the Rangers used the top nine players on their roster 85.59 percent of the time; it was the highest percentage of any team in the AL.

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